Man arrested following pursuit that ended with flipped patrol car, Sheriff says
The suspect was out on a felony bond from Jackson County after an armed robbery in Moss Point at a Raceway in May 2023.
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - A suspect is now in custody after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through the Central community, ending with a crash involving a Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) car.
George County Sheriff Mitchell Mixon says 28-year-old Austin Butler of Lucedale is charged with felony fleeing, driving under the influence (DUI), possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and several traffic violations.
According to Sheriff Mixon, the incident began around 9:40 p.m. Thursday on Highway 26. The suspect vehicle, a Dodge Charger, was traveling east when it dodged a routine safety checkpoint set up by MHP and the Sheriff’s Department.
The suspect car turned around to go the opposite direction at Central Firetower Road, beginning a pursuit.
That’s when Sheriff Mixon says the suspect car lost control, ran off the road and hit a power pole. As that pole was falling, the MHP trooper in pursuit tried to avoid being hit and ended up flipping the vehicle.
The suspect’s car ended up in the woods. There was a second person in that car who wasn’t injured or charged.
Other minor injuries were reported.
Butler was out on a felony bond from Jackson County after an armed robbery in Moss Point at a Raceway in May 2023. Butler also had a fleeing charge in George County from 2023.
Butler is being held at the George County Regional Correctional Facility, pending an initial appearance with a George County Justice Court Judge.
Sheriff Mixon would like to thank MHP, ASAP Ambulance Service, the Central Volunteer Fire Department, George County Emergency Management Agency and Singing River Electric for their “immediate response and assistance with this incident.”
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